Wearing religious signs: Trudeau serves a warning to Legault

OTTAWA | Justin Trudeau warns Quebec’s prime minister, François Legault, against the use of the notwithstanding clause to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols to people in positions of authority.

“The use of the notwithstanding clause, as I said in the case of Ontario, should only be done at exceptional times and after much thought and consideration of the consequences,” said the former. Canadian Minister this morning in the Ottawa Parliament. This is not something to be done lightly, because to remove or avoid defending the fundamental rights of Canadians, I think this is something to be very careful about. “

The leader of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) raised the possibility of using the notwithstanding clause during the election campaign. This clause of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows levels of government to enact an act derogating from the Charter.

Mr. Trudeau took the opportunity to reaffirm his opinion on religious symbols.

“As you well know, I do not think the state should tell a woman what she should wear or what she should not wear. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is there to protect our rights and freedoms, of course. “